An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…

4. They have no power to appoint Church-ordinances; nor power to administer any matter further then any other member of the Church: and this did the Church ⟨p. 40⟩of England acknowledge, and no more then this was due: Therefore we allow some power and authority to Princes, and Magistrates, in the sense spoken of; If they claim any further, it will so kindle the jealousy of the Lord, that the Lord will certainly wound it to the cracking of the Crowns of all that take it upon them: which may be a notable warning to all Church-men (I mean Church officers) to beware of cleeking into their hands the power which God hath not given them; the Lord will wound their heads, he will not endure it, 'tis a privilege that he hath purchased with his own blood. I think there is no need here to press it; but this let me say, it is a just motive to pray the more ardently, and faithfully for the crushing of such heads, wherever the Lord finds any arrogant head, that any Church-officer will undertake to give Laws to the Churches in their diocese, that they will put Officers upon them, that they will suspend them at their pleasure, and put in, and put out, whether the Church will or no; This kind of insolency in such a state, let it look for a wound, for a wound it shall have. And therefore, we are the more encouraged to pray for, and to look for deliverance from these Heads; for John tells us, 1 John 5. 14. that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us; And this is according to the will of God, that all ambitious heads be wounded: What he hath done he will do, There is no new thing under the Sun; he spares, and changes, and wounds in every change: Persons are changed, but Gods administrations are one and the same: If Gods indignation have been ardently kindled against the Bishop of Rome, he will certainly visit such powers as take upon them to put doctrine upon the Church; to take away Church liberties; and sometimes to scatter one Church from another, the Lord will certainly visit it, we may pray for it, and comfortably expect it.

4. They have no power to appoint Church-ordinances; nor power to administer any matter further then any other member of the Church: and this did the Church ⟨p. 40⟩of England acknowledge, and no more then this was due: Therefore we allow some power and authority to Princes, and Magistrates, in the sence spoken of; If they claime any further, it will so kindle the jealousie of the Lord, that the Lord wil certainly wound it to the cracking of the Crowns of all that take it upon them: which may be a notable warning to all Church-men (I mean Church officers) to beware of cleeking into their hands the power which God hath not given them; the Lord will wound their heads, he will not endure it, 'tis a priviledge that he hath purchased with his owne bloud. I think there is no need here to presse it; but this let me say, it is a just motive to pray the more ardently, and faithfully for the crushing of such heads, wherever the Lord findes any arrogant head, that any Church-officer will undertake to give Lawes to the Churches in their diocesse, that they will put Officers upon them, that they will suspend them at their pleasure, and put in, and put out, whether the Church will or no; This kinde of insolency in such a state, let it look for a wound, for a wound it shall have. And therefore, we are the more encouraged to pray for, and to look for deliverance from these Heads; for John tells us,